Lawsuits can seem so unpleasant from the outside, I suppose that’s why I never seriously considered filing one. I’m basically just your typical shy, scrupulously polite, conflict-avoiding person, and I couldn’t stand the idea of having to start a fight, even if it was justified.

Maybe it was, or maybe it was denial, a refusal to believe what doctors and friends were telling me, refusing to believe I’d be in pain for the rest of my life.

Yet, here we are, three years after my fall in a shop, and I’m still in pain. I didn’t believe it could last, not for the longest time. I’m not an old lady, after all. I’m still in my thirties, I’m in—or I was in—pretty good shape. Who has hip problems at 37? Surely it would just take care of itself.

It didn’t, and now that I’m past the statute of limitations, I’m beginning to regret my decision. Maybe it would have been worth being bold and starting that legal fight a few years ago. No, there’s no maybe about it. It would have been worth it. At this point, I have to call in regularly to work if the pain is too bad. My boss is very understanding, I’m lucky in that, but it means I’m left with less income each month. I certainly can’t afford to go see a physical therapist to try and fix the problem, not now.

I suppose I could get over all this if I didn’t know it didn’t have to be this way. I could adjust to life as it is if there wasn’t that lingering knowledge that I made a mistake by not trying to push harder on this earlier. If I’d taken the advice of my friends (or listened my carefully to my doctors) I could have filed a lawsuit that would have covered that physical therapy, that could have covered my missed work hours, that might have allowed me to see a high-quality specialist. The options, when I think about them, are just heartbreaking.

But at the time, I’d convinced myself not just that I’d get better but that I didn’t have a case and I’d be just stirring up trouble by searching for a way to get money out of a store (a family-owned store at that) when it was my own fault. Having done some research (like on this law firm’s site), I see now I definitely had more than just a decent case, I had the right to seek some compensation not just for the initial fall but for all that’s coming after.

Oh well. The moment has passed now, and I just have to learn to accept that. Regrets, I have a few, as the old song goes. I just need to find a way to be okay with the status quo from now on. I have a good job with an understanding boss. I make enough, even if it isn’t all I used to make. I’ll just have to accept the pain is here to stay. I’m 37, and I have hip problems. That’s just the way it goes.

The country has been in an upheaval recently because of the #metoo campaign. There have been many cases of sexual assault that have been outed after years of women (and men) keeping them secret for fear of reprisals against their character and careers.

This is, as is almost universally agreed, a positive step for the country, but at the same time, there is a risk that such enthusiasm for supporting those who have long held horrible secrets can lead to a slippery slope and some may get caught up in false accusations.

While it is an unpopular opinion to put forward at this moment, false accusations, while not as common as some have tried to suggest, still do exist in the modern world, and simply believing every accusation to be true because it was made creates the risk for more false accusations to come forward.

A similar problem developed over using children as witnesses in abuse cases. In the 1970s, an effort was made to encourage children to speak up and even to testify about abuse. The thinking was that unquestioning belief in their claims would help bring forward more cases and help protect more children.

While it did undoubtedly do that on some level, it also led to numerous accounts of unreliable testimony. Children, it was discovered, didn’t necessarily understand all the consequences of their actions. They were also more capable of being swayed into believing something false based on what others around them believed. Say, if one parent pushed hard enough with the belief the other parent harmed the child, the child may come to completely believe that was the case, even inventing details to help prove it. Because so little doubt was allowed in such cases, innocent people were harmed.

This is not to equate women (or men who have been abused) with children. Obviously, adult women know when something has happened and when it hasn’t. They are no more susceptible to believing something false than anyone else. However, this does show that unquestioning belief in the testimony of someone claiming some form of harassment or abuse can lead to some very unfortunate consequences.

Why would someone do this? There are numerous, ugly reasons, including petty jealousies, the desire for career advancement, or political motivations. With a general outcry for anyone accused to be dismissed from a position, it would be easy enough to make a claim and hope that a rival in a company or on the political stage would be dismissed.

The consequences could easily go beyond losing a job, though. As Bruno Law Offices points out, the consequences could include long prison sentences and a lifetime on a sexual offenders list. In other words, it could ruin someone’s life.

Again, it is rare for false claims to be made, and anyone who has been abused should be encouraged to speak out. They should be granted a certain amount of trust by the public, but it is important not to push that trust too far. Uncritical trust is sure to be taken advantage of by someone, and someone else will end up being found guilty when they are innocent.

As many of us are aware, either from experiencing it ourselves or from watching it in others, aging is not a pleasant experience. As we grow older, our bodies deteriorate. Tasks that were simple for us once we were younger may become difficult or impossible to accomplish without assistance. Often the elderly need special care and attention, even around the clock, to make sure they aren’t injured and are able to live comfortably. One thing we especially need to be on the look out for is falls. Though the idea of falling may not seem threatening to most, to the elderly a fall at the wrong place or time can easily result in serious damage.

On Friday, September 22nd, the city of Tucson is recognizing Falls Awareness Day, a part of its larger September Healthy Aging month initiative. In a special report released by the Arizona Daily Star, the newspaper advises several ways you can help increase safety for yourself and any older adults in your life. They advise three main steps: First, make sure you’re getting regular exercise. Though maintaining physical shape may be difficult as we get older, even a little bit of effort can go a long way. There are many different types of exercise programs for older adults, such as water aerobics, programs focused on increasing balance, and many groups outdoor hiking. Usually, groups like this are very affordable for anyone interested. They’ll not only improve your coordination and reduce the risk of falls, but promote greater overall fitness. This will lead to longer and happier lives for you and your family.

Second, make sure to talk to your doctor. Every person should regularly talk with their health-care provider about their lifestyle and personal health concerns. This becomes especially important as aging makes you vulnerable to conditions that previously would have been no issue. Get advice on recommended exercise, foot care, eye care, and any worries about difficult movement. Light-headedness while standing up is an especially problematic sign. This can be an indication of poor blood pressure and easily lead to a fall. Make sure you understand the side effects of any medications and how they may affect your risks of falling.

Finally, make sure your home is safe. Make sure all areas are well lit, areas are free of clutter, floors are made of non-slippery surfaces with lots of traction, stairs are well maintained, and furniture is placed so it won’t cause problems. If you need to, be sure to obtain a walker or cane. When you’re at home, wear shoes to increase traction.

Still, no one can be entirely safe. Even if your home is comfortable, there are many things outside of it that are unpredictable and may lead to a fall. This can be dangerous. According to the Tucson law firm Russo, Russo, and Slania, injuries can very easily result in costly hospital bills. Fortunately, if you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, there are plenty of ways to get compensation. Good luck and stay safe in avoiding falls!

As global warming continues to inflict its adverse effects on the planet our species is beginning to see how it will affect our cities and the citizens who populate them. Specifically, hurricanes currently are inflicting the greatest amounts of immediate physical damage. While most people care very little about climate change, and some even consider climate change to be illegitimate, there is a grave threat to the safety of citizens all around the world. The shift in wind patterns has caused perfect breeding grounds for tropical storms of great magnitude. Ecological preservation is ultimately the key to combating these disasters from affecting future generations. Until reasonable efforts to combat climate change are enacted, the world can expect to continue seeing horrendous displays of the force of nature.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Louisiana coast as the largest, most damaging hurricane to ever impact the United States. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey, which was even bigger than Katrina, has drastically affected residents in Houston, Corpus Christi, and other coastal cities in Texas. Hurricanes of this strength cause severe flooding that has the potential to kill thousands as seen in Katrina. This flooding poses great threats to property and the health of victims. In Katrina, there were over 1.7 million insurance claims made after the storm made landfall. Since then, over ten years ago, insurance agencies have allotted an approximated $41.1 billion in reparation checks. In current cases like Harvey, or others moving forward, victims should take the necessary precautions when making insurance claims and should pursue legal action if their insurance company acts in bad faith. Typically it would be best to utilize skilled professional assistance to facilitate the process.

Efforts to further combat climate change are society’s best bet on decreasing the likelihood of other mass catastrophic events from happening. Human consumption of the earth’s resources has had a tremendous negative effect on the biosphere. The earth is an entirely designed realm, and every toxic substance, fossil fuel, or other cause of pollution can severely damage the fragile conditions that keep the earth’s atmosphere intact. The holes in our ozone are not recent discoveries. The information for humans to make an informed decision on environmental practices has been available since 1985 when the discovery of depletions in ozone levels covering the Antarctic. This was long before the extreme population growths for the planet, the rise of the transportation sector, and the mass overproduction of nonbiodegradable goods. It should not come as a surprise that we are experiencing the harsh repercussions of human actions against the planet’s interest. Instead of accepting the cruel fate of humanity we should join together in a global effort for the survival of the human species.

In summary, hurricanes are powerful beasts with the capability of inflicting unimaginable terror on largely populated coastal cities. The wrath of previous storms has inflicted enormous damage on the main cities causing billions of dollars in reconstruction fees. To prevent further instances of mega catastrophic proportions, it is imperative that a global mission to combat climate change begin. Any person who is passionate about ending these disasters can start by informing themselves on the facts of climate change.

Motorcyclist’s Top Priority: Safety

Motorcycles are economical and efficient modes of transportation, so it is not surprising that it is becoming more popular. This also means that more people are being vulnerable to motorcycle accidents.

It is even worse if the accidents occur because of another driver’s action or inaction. According to the website http://www.thebentonlawfirm.com/, those who have been hurt in motorcycle accidents may get compensation for the damages they have received. But this does not mean that they can be reckless. There are things they can do to ensure their safety.

They can already reduce the risk of accidents and injuries even before they ride their motorcycles. They can regularly check their motorcycles and maintain them to avoid defects and malfunctions that may trigger traffic accidents. They may use safety equipment, such as helmets, kneepads, and elbow pads, to reduce the risk of injury when an accident occurs.

If possible, they should also check the conditions and statuses of the roads they will pass through, as well as the potentially hazardous weather conditions that may compromise safety. Rain water, snow, and ice can make the road slippery and reduce the traction of their tires. Fog blankets may affect their visibility and harsh winds may hurl projectiles on them or create obstructions on the road.

To further reduce the risk of accidents, it is important to follow traffic rules and avoid reckless behaviors. Traffic rules are enforced to ensure that traffic flows smoothly and no collisions happen, so if motorcyclists try to break them, they are putting themselves and other people around them in danger. Reckless behaviors also pose the same risk. Drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, tailgating, and weaving between lanes are just some of the habits motorcyclists should avoid.

Getting involved in a motorcycle accident may have devastating consequences, and there are even times where the consequences are severe enough to be fatal. It is even worse if a motorcyclist’s recklessness or negligence has put another person in danger, such as a motorcycle passenger, a driver of another car, or a pedestrian. For sure, they can file lawsuits against these motorcyclists as well.

For those that suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder, it can feel like they are being held hostages in their own bodies, helpless against the compulsions that must be completed against reason and the obsessions that never give their mind rest. OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessions, which are repeated and often disturbing thoughts, urges, and images, and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors that a person feels they must do, usually in response to an obsessive thought, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Such obsessions and compulsions can range from mild to severe and can have debilitating effects in a patient’s personal, professional, and private life.

OCD is typically treated with a combination of medicine, usually SSRIs, and therapy. Most people respond to this traditional treatment, but some patient’s symptoms are resistant to medication and continue to cause considerable upset in their lives. In cases such as these, or with patients who would like to explore alternative treatments that do not involve medication, hypnotherapy can provide considerable relief. Hypnotherapy can be used to treat a number of issues, including addiction, phobias, stress, and issues with memory recall. For treatment with OCD specifically, hypnotherapy combined with cognitive behavioral therapy can be particularly beneficial. This type of therapy works by changing harmful beliefs and habits on a subconscious level and utilizes hypnotic interventions to challenge negative and dysfunctional thought patterns.

Cognitive behavioral therapy itself is fairly common among treatment for OCD sufferers, and the hypnotherapy aspect serves to make the process more effective by influencing behaviors when the mind is in a more suggestible and impressionable state, as the Orlando Hypnosis Clinic further notes. Such therapies are helpful because faulty thinking is often at the root of OCD symptoms. Most sufferers realize that their thoughts and the resulting actions are irrational and want to stop, but the thinking patterns are so strong that they continue to worry over the thought or complete the compulsion anyway. With cognitive behavioral hypnotherapy, patients can begin to break down these powerful thinking patterns in a way that isn’t possible with a fully conscious mind.

Divorces are, without a doubt, among the most emotionally trying situations anyone could think to experience. Imagine how challenging going through a divorce can be if every step involves so much confusion and unanswered questions regarding legal decisions that need to be determined together. Even the most amicable of couples can quickly become contentious and antagonistic in the face of such stress. If you are in the same tense situation, it would help to learn more about the different ways in which you can seek financial, legal, and even physical protection to solve as many issues as possible.

One of the most common sources of contention in divorce proceedings involves child custody agreements. Divorcing couples in highly contentious situations will find it hard to agree on how to best proceed with sharing parental duties. Another common cause of contention in divorces is the decision involving the separation of shared property and assets between spouses.

An easy way to safeguard your rights in both situations is to contact a divorce attorney as soon as possible. An effective lawyer will be able to safeguard your many legal rights that could be overlooked by your former partner during the procedure. Having a qualified divorce lawyer advocating for your rights ensures that you, as well as any children you might have, will be able to come out of this turbulent time with all the resources you need to move on.

Should your decision to divorce come from the fact that you or your children have been hurt or have felt threatened around your spouse, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement. Police officers can help you and your children move out of a dangerous situation, as well as provide options that could keep an abusive spouse away.

In general, except in cases of domestic violence, it’s important that you do not make rash decisions during divorce proceedings until you have been given proper legal counsel. If you need help with getting a divorce, consult with an experience lawyer working in your area.

People often think that speeding and reckless driving are one and the same. When you are stopped and given a traffic ticket, there is a notion that this was because of the way you were driving. The truth of the matter is that speeding and reckless driving are two different things. In this article, we shall take a look at the difference between speeding and reckless driving.

The main difference between speeding and reckless driving is that the former is just a traffic infraction while the latter is class 1 misdemeanor. Aside from that, speeding does not carry any possible jail time and has a maximum penalty of $250 on most cases. On the other hand, reckless driving carries a jail time of up to 1 year. When convicted due to reckless driving, the charge becomes permanent while a speeding infraction can be erased from your driving record in a few years.

Another difference is that speeding does not require court appearance. You can just pay for the speeding ticket. On the other hand, reckless driving may require court appearance so having an attorney is imperative. In addition, the Department of Motor Vehicles assigns different points to speeding and reckless driving. The maximum points for speeding is 3 points while for reckless driving, it is 6 points.

Being the more serious offense, reckless driving can also have some serious consequences. Aside from jail time, it can also result to your license being suspended and your car insurance going up. When it comes to the suspension of the license, it is the court which will decide if there is a need to do so depending on the facts and circumstances.

How Do You Determine Your Violation?

In order to determine whether you are charged with speeding or reckless driving, simply look at the summon given to you by the enforcer. Look at the Law Section of the ticket and then Charge. The words reckless driving or speeding should be written. The police might also write the speed you were traveling.

However, it is worth noting that speeding can also have some acts of reckless driving, depending on the state where you are located.

Unexpected injuries happen, but it doesn’t mean that you have to take the blame or deal with the repercussions of an accident on your own. Hiring a personal injury lawyer allows a victim the necessary time to recover from injury without the fear of being denied compensation for their pain and emotional suffering.

Certain states require all motorists to carry a minimum “personal injury protection” insurance, in order to cover medical costs no matter who was at fault in the accident. According to Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller and Overbeck, P.A., these laws “make it unfortunately easy for insurance companies to deny claims, leaving hospitals, doctors, and other medical providers without the ability to recover compensation for the cost of treatment performed.”

Medical bills are expensive and you should not have to undergo the financial burden of paying off these expenses if your accident was caused by another party’s negligence. Your insurance company may try many tactics to avoid the disbursement of your claim. By hiring an attorney, you can assure that they will fight your insurance company in order to provide you with the best settlement possible.

Do not allow insurance companies deny you payment that is rightfully yours. Personal injury lawyers will fight against these companies to assure that you get compensation for your losses incurred by injury. The negligence of another individual or a public business should never be tolerated. An attorney well-versed in personal injury claims could make a huge different as you undergo your case in court.

Houston personal injury lawyers like to say that they can fight for coverage of your “expensive medical bills, lost wages, and extensive recovery times.”

Being attacked by a dog can be both physically and emotionally traumatizing. According to jeffsampsonlaw.com, people who suffered from animal attack are faced with a variety of injuries, including hemorrhaging, severe lacerations, fracture, wounds, and deadly infections such as tetanus and rabies. Apart from these physical injuries are the financial difficulties brought about by lost time at work and longer recovery period. In some cases, a dog attack victim may even suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the horrifying incident.

Who is exempted?

As a general rule, negligent dog owners in the U.S. should be liable for the damages incurred by a victim of an animal attack. However, there are instances when an owner is exempted from such responsibility. You may not be eligible for compensation if:

You are attempting to commit felony

You are a trespasser

You physically harmed the dog, which provoked it to attack

You have been attacked by a dog who was assisting the military or the police

You are a canine professional or a veterinarian

Strict liability laws

If you have been attacked by a dog and you are not any one of those mentioned above, you are most likely to be eligible to claim compensation from the dog owner involved. However, your chance of claiming compensation greatly depends on your state’s dog bite statute. Most states, for instance, enact strict liability dog bite laws wherein dog owners are responsible for the damages incurred by the victim even if the victim could have done anything to prevent the situation.

One bite laws

On the other hand, some states adapt an ancient dog bite legal doctrine called one bite rule, or first bite rule. In one bite rule, dog owners are not responsible for the damages done by their pet if they were not aware of its propensity to do harm. The principle behind this doctrine is that all pets are naturally tame, and owners do not know that their pets have the tendency to hurt other people until the first incident of harm. States that enact this type of rule practically allow dogs to have their first bite for free before its owner becomes legally liable. However, owners could still be liable for their dog’s first bite if the owners knew that the particular breed is dangerous.